Things to do in Cancun for adults during your vacation (Ideas for couples & groups of friends)

Cancun boasts gorgeous beaches, crystalline waters, and tons of activities to keep the whole group entertained for days.

By Nicole Muto
Published: July 18, 2024
Cancun

Whether you're headed to Cancun to kick back and relax or go full-throttle on a jet ski, you'll find that there's plenty of fun to be had. If you're looking for the best activities and landmarks to add to your itinerary, check out our list of Cancun must-sees, including...

  • Chichén Itzá and Valladolid
  • Dolphin Encounter and Maroma Beach Club access
  • Columbus Sunset Dinner Cruise
  • Snorkel an Underwater Museum
  • Parasail Cancun
  • Tulum Express Tour
  • Shipwreck Snorkeling Experience
  • Paradise SubSee Excursion
  • and more...

Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is one of the most famous Mayan temples in Mexico. It's definitely worth a visit to see the famed structure with your own eyes. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the area to take in the historical ruins. As you explore, you'll learn more about the Mayans' advancements in math, science, and architecture.

The temple is one of the most uniquely built historic structures in the area. After you explore Chichén Itzá, it's time for a typical Mexican buffet lunch at Hacienda Selva Maya followed by a cooling dip in the natural cenote Saamal. You'll have plenty of time for a refreshing swim.

On your way back to Cancun, you'll also stop at the colonial town of Valladolid where your guide will provide some top tips and leave you to explore its impressive architecture and quaint pastel-colored buildings.

Getting in: Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Day Trip tickets are included on the All-Inclusive pass as a premium option.

Chichén Itzá

Dolphin encounters

Interacting with dolphins will be a dream come true! Learn all about the playful creatures in your briefing, hop in the pool, and suit up in your life vest ready for your unforgettable experience with these intelligent and gentle mammals.

The dolphins will make you part of their performance. You'll get handshakes, kisses, foot pushes, and maybe even get towed across the pool by their dorsal fin! On top of that, you'll have full access to Maroma Beach Club.

Getting in: Dolphin Encounter and Maroma Beach Club Access is included on the Cancun Explorer Pass.

Swimming with dolphins

Columbus Sunset Dinner Cruise

This one is perfect for couples in Cancun looking for a romantic night out. Cruise around the lagoon as the sun sets and enjoy a relaxing evening together. The cruise is complete with a 3-course steak and vegetable meal with delectable desserts. Soak in the sights and dance to the music provided by a live saxophone band. 

Getting in: Columbus Romantic Dinner Cruise tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Columbus sunset dinner cruise

Snorkel around an underwater museum

This isn't your typical trip to a museum. Journey out to Paraiso Nizuc for a once-in-a-lifetime experience under the surface. The Underwater Museum is a collection of 16 unique statues that reside below sea level off the coast of Cancun. Hop aboard a motorboat and head to the reef! Aside from this underwater sculpture garden, you'll also see lots of local fish and marine life. You'll have a great time exploring this one-of-a-kind museum. 

Getting in: Underwater Museum Snorkel at Paraiso Nizuc tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Underwater museum

Parasailing fun

There's truly no better view of Cancun than the one you'll get from a personal parasailing trip. If you've been parasailing before, you'll know how thrilling the ride can be. If you haven't, you need to add this to your bucket list. It's the only way to experience what it's like to fly! Once you're strapped into the safety gear, you'll take flight from the back of the boat. 

Glide through the air over the crystal blue water and see the view of Cancun's gorgeous beaches unfurl from the highest point. If you're brave, you can even choose to have the captain dip you in the water at the end of your ride. 

Getting in: Parasailing Adventure in Cancun tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Parasailing in Cancun

Isla Mujeres adventure

Isla Mujeres is a small island located 20 minutes off the coast of Cancun where you'll find some of the best white sand beaches. While the island is only 10 miles long, there's plenty to see and do here. The island exudes a vibe of relaxation and enjoyment. Spend the day at the Beach Club where you'll have access to the pool and all of the club's amenities. Once you've lounged to your heart's content by the pool or at the beach, grab a bike and explore the island fully. 

Bike up one of the many cliffs for picturesque views of the island on the coast of Cancun. If you pedal into the heart of downtown Isla Mujeres, make sure to stop at a few of the local-owned shops and pick up souvenirs. 

Getting in: Isla Mujeres Discovery Sail tickets are included on Go Cancun pass. 

Isla Mujeres

Tulum Express tour

Cancun is full of beautiful beaches and tons of activities, but that's not all there is to it. There are many ancient Mayan temples and ruins in the surrounding areas that serve as a large part of Mexico's history. Journey to nearby Tulum to see some of the ruins for yourself. 

Your tour guides will take you to some of the most notable sights and provide a background of their importance. You'll learn more about the Mayan civilization and how it shaped so much of what we know today. Once you've had your fill of the temples, take some time to explore the beaches. Relax on the coastline or take a leisurely walk up to the cliffs for unbeatable views. 

Getting in: Tulum Express Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Mayan temples

Underwater shipwreck snorkeling

Don't miss the opportunity to snorkel over the only shipwreck site in Cancun. Whether you're an expert swimmer or a newbie, this is perfect for adventurers of every skill level. Once aboard the boat, you'll head out to reefs just 5 minutes off the coast for two hours of uninterrupted snorkeling exploration.

Start off at El Meco, the best-preserved reef on the Great Mayan Reef. As you swim around, you'll see colorful fish, local marine animals, and maybe even sea turtles. 

Your next stop will be the Underwater Museum, where you can admire the 16 different statues that reside under the water. And of course, save the best for last! The final stop of your snorkeling adventure will be at the shipwreck site. You'll be able to swim over the ship and explore the ruins of the wreck below. 

Getting in: Reef, Turtle, and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Shipwreck snorkeling

Paradise SubSee excursion

Hop aboard this half-boat, half-submarine hybrid for a unique ride in the water. The submarine-like vessel will allow you to see all the wonders of the water without having to get wet. The SubSee will take you past gorgeous reefs and the Underwater Museum. The guide on board will point out notable structures and local fish as you cruise by. 

Getting in: Paradise SubSee Excursion tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Subsee

Shopping in Playa del Carmen

One of the most famous spots in Playa Del Carmen is lively Fifth Avenue. The 22-block shopping oasis is full of popular restaurants, souvenir shops, and activities. Head down to Playa del Carmen from Cancun for a day full of exploration. Your tour guide will bring you to all the best shops, from locally-owned craft shops to name-brand stores like H&M. There's an endless amount of stores to visit - shoppers will love this trip. 

Even if shopping isn't your ideal vacation activity, this is still a great tour to take - Fifth Avenue is more than just stores and restaurants! There are a few different public parks and beaches that line the street that are all easy to get to. 

Getting in: Shopping in Playa Del Carmen Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Playa del Carmen

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Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

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A couple enjoy the sea views in Cancun
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Things to do in Cancun in July

Take a quick turn around the web and you’ll soon discover that July falls within Cancun’s wet season. But although it’s low season, don’t give up your dreams of visiting Cancun in July just yet. The month’s wet season designation tricks many into believing July isn’t a good time to visit Cancun. However, the reality on the beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula is very different to what you might be imagining. Five days of rain is all you’ll experience on average, and even then, this generally consists of a nothing more than heavy afternoon downpour of as little as 15 minutes. They rarely last longer than two or three hours. And whilst there’s an outside chance of a hurricane making landfall at this time of year, the last time this happened was way back in 2005. Wet season? We hear you ask. What wet season? Here’s some of what you can get up to in Cancun in July. Seek out the sea breeze With temperatures on land maxing out at 34°C and humidity levels which can top 80%, sticking close to Cancun’s Caribbean shores is a good way to minimize the heat. Getting out onto the water is incredibly easy in Cancun, with catamaran cruises to Isla Mujeres, shipwreck snorkeling tours and even the galleries of an underwater museum to consider. Between them they offer an incredible array of ways to enjoy the region’s turquoise waters and teeming coral reefs. The Caribbean’s only seafront amusement and water park, Ventura Park provides a heady mix of high-octane rides and calmer ways to appreciate the water, such as its Lazy River and Wave Pool, making it a great shout for families. All ages are also welcome at the majority of Cancun’s cenotes. Natural sinkholes formed from collapsed limestone caves and flooded by a mix of underwater rivers and rain water, they are a stunning addition to the region’s geography. Ranging from simple holes in the ground to magnificent forms with diving platforms up to ten meters high, their cool waters will soon see you adopt the right frame of mine. Take a road trip With the Riviera Maya on your doorstep, Cancun is the perfect starting point for a coastal road trip in search of Mayan ruins and tiny coves. So why not rent a car for the day and head down Federal Highway 307? Whether you ramp up the air-con or wind down the windows is entirely up to you, as you head south from Puerto Morelos to the beaches, bars and boutique stores of Playa del Carmen and the archeology site of Tulum – where temples stand guard over the coast. Along the way, consider stopping for a couple of hours at the ecoparks of Xel-Ha or Xcaret. Xel-Ha counts jungle and river trails amongst its highlights, whilst Xcaret is best thought of as part water park, part cabaret show and part wildlife reserve. Meet Cancun’s most-loved creatures Animal lovers certainly won’t be short of things to do in Cancun in July. Since May at least three species of turtle have been dragging themselves up onto the beaches after dark in order to dig holes in which to lay their eggs. This continues through July, with the added bonus of the very first eggs to be laid starting to hatch, carpeting the sands of Isla Mujeres with newborns eager to reach the relative safety of the open ocean. Though the giants of the deep, the turtles don’t face any threat from the whale sharks which linger in Cancun’s warm tropical waters at this time of year, since they eat nothing larger than microscopic plankton. Swimming and snorkeling beside these magnificent creatures are unforgettable experiences, celebrated on the island at the annual Whale Shark Festival at the end of July. Discover the nightlife Another end of July celebration to mark in your diary is July 25’s El Día Fuera del Tiempo. Translating as ‘the day out of time’, it marks the Mayan year end, and is a traditional time to reflect on the past twelve months. There are festivities right along the Riviera Maya. Originally focusing on Tulum, they now include events in Cancun itself. But whatever day you turn up in July you can be sure of a good time. With a reputation as one of the best places to party south of the Rio Grande, Cancun’s hotel zone is awash with neon signs and dance floors just waiting to be filled. One of the top spots for many years has been Congo Bar, whose DJs spin the decks until close to sunrise. Take in some culture If the thought of those occasional afternoon downpours is still leaving you unsure of what to do in Cancun in July, remember that the city isn’t all about outdoor adventures. There’s also plenty to discover under cover, with a pick of great museums and galleries thanks to a thriving cultural scene. Museo Maya displays a wealth of important artefacts linked to the region’s historic inhabitants, including items discovered at Chichen Itza and Comalcalco. They reveal many of the secrets to the Mayans’ success and ultimate demise at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors. Forming part of Xcaret ecopark, the Mexican Folk Art Museum details the nation’s modern culture, including items such as ghoulish Day of the Dead dolls in a dazzling series of colorful galleries depicting everyday life. The 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen lives up to its name and is a museum that will keep the kids entertained until the clouds clear. Filled with three-dimensional optical illusions, it is the work of artist Kurt Wenner, whose 60 creations literally leap from the walls in all manner of sizes and shapes. Save on Cancun July attraction admission Comparatively crowd-free by Cancun standards and budget-friendly to boot, July is a great month to visit despite being placed within the region’s wet season. Take it easy in the building humidity by sticking to the shoreline or heading to the range of water-based attractions and activities on offer. Take Go City with you and you’ll save big on admission costs at the same time!
Ian Packham
A woman floats in the shallows in Cancun
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Should I visit Cancun in June?

Cancun and June go together so well they even rhyme. After the busy months of the first half of the year, Cancun in June is quieter, with some great flight and hotel deals to be had. However, this doesn’t mean that the city shuts up shop until December. Far from it. There’s still a wealth of attractions to delight and entertain, including the arrival of turtles and whale sharks along Cancun’s frankly wondrous Caribbean shores. To prove it, here’s our guide to what to do in Cancun in June! Beach hopping Cancun’s 22 kilometers of white sand beaches – extending along the hotel zone – are a major draw at any time of year. In June, there’s even more reason to soak up the sun from the likes of Playa Delfines or Playa Langosta. Mounting humidity levels can be kept at bay by sticking to the hotel zone’s thin band of land, separated from the higher temperatures of the mainland by Nichupte Lagoon. Looking refreshed with the arrival of the new season rains, you can see the jungle and many of its species, from birds to monkeys, at its most glorious. And from the controls of your very own speedboat too! But don’t worry – although June is one of the wettest months in the Cancun calendar, just a quarter of days experience the month’s afternoon showers. They won’t force you to cancel any plans. That’s particularly good news when both turtles and whale sharks are potential attractions during the month. Head across to Isla Mujeres by catamaran and you can encounter turtles both in the coral-laden shallows immediately offshore and on the beaches of Punta Sur as they return to the sands they hatched from to continue the circle of life. Whale sharks meanwhile arrive in Cancun’s waters from May, and stay until September, filling their days feasting on the plankton-rich waters. Swimming close to these animals – which at up to 18 meters long are the world’s largest fish – is one of the highlights of the year, yet alone the month. Staying fresh With sea temperatures matching those on land – 29°C – it’s no wonder such a plethora of life chooses to spend their time here beneath the waves. Just a short journey south of Cancun, the town of Puerto Morelos is the gateway to the Mesoamerican Reef. Also known as the Grand Mayan Reef, the ‘grand’ is well placed, it being second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. One way to ensure you see it at its best is by booking a dedicated snorkeling tour, where turtles are just one of 500 different species of fish and sea creatures you have the chance to lay your eyes on. No less impressive are the Yucatan Peninsula’s unique collection of natural limestone water-filled sinkholes, or cenotes. Fed by underwater rivers, these open and semi-open cave-like structures are some of the most dramatic places to cool off in the region, with the crystal-clear waters accompanying stunning jungle locations. Held sacred by the Maya, many are located close to other sites of interest, allowing visitors to combine a tour of the pyramid of Coba with time at a cenote for instance. Don’t stop at sundown Come sunset at around 7:30PM, temperatures only drop by 5 – 8°C, meaning your adventures don’t need to stop with the fall of night. In fact, crowd pleasers including Xcaret ecopark offer special night time admission, allowing visitors to see the evening spectacular as well as 50 other park attractions. If you’re keen to take the evening down the romantic route with a significant other, you can both delight in the sunsets or moonlight and stars on a boat cruise and multi-course dinner across Nichupte lagoon. But if it’s Cancun’s nightlife that attracted you to the destination in the first place, there’s little need to go any further than Congo Bar at the northern end of the hotel zone. It is almost unrivalled when it comes to the club scene, although The City Nightclub and Coco Bongo also have long lines forming for those without the luxury of VIP access. Enjoy June’s special events Irrespective of the heavy beats and live DJs, the busy schedule of events means both day and night feel like party time in Cancun in June. Dia de la Marina, or Navy Day, is celebrated on June 1. Look out for events including military parades, historic battle reenactments and fireworks taking place either in Cancun or in nearby coastal towns. Having started in May and stretching through to mid-June, the Festival de los Océanos (Ocean Festival) showcases all the seas around Cancun have to offer through a range of talks, concerts, children’s activities and culinary events. Movie screenings take the lead at the International FILMA festival, which features Spanish language and international movies and art house shorts. Keep a particular eye out for the atmospheric classic screenings that take place on the beach after nightfall. June is also Pride month around the world, celebrating the globe’s LGBTQ+ communities. Although there’s no Pride parade in Cancun, its Riviera Maya neighbors host a series of events. The gay clubs in the downtown area also make the most of the month. How to save in Cancun in June Ticking off the top things to do in Cancun is as easy in June as it is in March, April or May. Whilst the weather will be cloudier than during these months, and the rain a little heavier, there’s no reason to worry yourself about being trapped in a hotel room for days on end or having to hide beneath an umbrella for your entire stay. Instead, it’s still very possible to enjoy the huge range of outdoor attractions available in Cancun in June, and with lower visitor numbers too, reserving your museum visits for those occasional downpours. Whatever you’re planning for when you’re in this Mexican paradise, be sure to include Go City. Simply by having our app you can make incredible savings on a whole raft of Cancun attractions!
Ian Packham
Decorated Eggs in Cancun
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Hop Into Fun: How to Celebrate Easter in Cancun

Easter in Cancun means beach parties, cenote dips, and treats for every type of traveler!

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